Google Acquires ‘Where Is My Train’ App

Global search giant has acquired Bengaluru-based startup Where Is My Train, which provides live train updates through an app without the use of internet and the Global Positioning System. This marks Google’s first product acquisition in India.

Where Is My Train was founded by five former executives of the US-based technology-entertainment company TiVo Corporation — Ahmed Nizam Mohaideen, Meenakshi Sundaram, Balasubramoniam Rajendran, and Sashikumar Venkataraman. The app has over 10 million downloads and uses information from the cell tower instead of the internet or GPS to locate trains in real time. It also helps people select the train after selecting their source and destination on the app.

“We can think of no better place to help us achieve our mission, and we’re excited to join Google to help bring technology and information into more people’s hands,” the founders said.

The acquisition comes when Google and Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi were said to be competing to acquire the company for nearly $30 million- $40 million (₹ 217.3 crore- ₹ 289.8 crore). With the acquisition, Google looks to expand its presence in tier 2, 3, and 4 cities along with remote parts of the country where internet penetration is negligible.

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